Sandpiper Youth Group Raises $1,000 for Japanese Tsunami Aid

A group of 120 Redwood City children did more than raise a little dough in an afternoon bake sale last week.

The Sandpiper Youth Club raised more than $1,000 to aid Japanese tsunami relief efforts, Redwood City spokesman Malcolm Smith said.

About 300 people purchased the treats or made a donation at the fundraiser, which took place on March 18 at the Sandpiper Community Center near Sandpiper Elementary School, Smith said.

The children, ranging in age from six to 10 years old, were prompted to host the fundraiser after seeing images and hearing stories on the news about the victims of the tsunami, he said.

While other cooks may bake up a storm, the children and their parents baked during one.

They refused to let the morning's tornado warning issued for San Mateo County stop them, Smith said.

The money raised will be donated to UNICEF, earmarked to directly benefit Japanese tsunami relief, he said.

The youth club also raised about $1,000 for relief efforts in Haiti following January 2010's earthquake, he said.

"These kids have a reputation for recognizing when there's some great need somewhere," Smith said.

The youth club's director Telisha Brent helped organize the children to make flyers, solicit donations of baked goods and inform the community, he said.

"But the kids came up with the idea for doing it," Smith said.

There are no plans for future fundraisers, but Smith said the youth group is keeping a watchful eye.

"If these kids see there's another need somewhere - hopefully there won't be - there will be another event to help," Smith said.

--Bay City News